Temel Dickerson and Nadja Vielot

The Thadford Dickerson and Paula Schuman Scholar Award is funded by Temel Dickerson and Nadja Vielot to honor the legacies of their parents, Thadford Dickerson, Sr. and Dr. Paula Schuman. Chief Dickerson was one of the first black Fire Chiefs in the South, known for his dedication to public service and community safety in Lexington, North Carolina. Dr. Schuman made significant contributions to public health, particularly during the HIV/AIDS crisis in Detroit, Michigan, where she directed the city's first HIV clinic. The scholarship aims to support first-generation, low-income undergraduate students or trade school students in North Carolina who are pursuing careers in public service, particularly in healthcare and related fields.